Trail off
verb
To gradually become quieter or less.
His voice trailed off as he fell asleep.
Often appears as...
- her voice trailed off
- sentence trailed off
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To slowly stop or disappear.
The party trailed off around two a.m.
Often appears as...
- party trailed off
- crowd trailed off
verb
To lose energy, strength, or relevance.
The conversation trailed off as they realized they had nothing more to say to each other.
Often appears as...
- conversation trailed off
- debate trailed off
verb
To slowly come to an end.
The meeting trailed off without a conclusion.
Often appears as...
- discussion trailed off
- argument trailed off
Usage tips
Business
verb
To gradually become quieter or less.
His voice trailed off as he fell asleep.
Often appears as...
- her voice trailed off
- sentence trailed off
Usage tips
Colloquial
verb
To slowly stop or disappear.
The party trailed off around two a.m.
Often appears as...
- party trailed off
- crowd trailed off
verb
To lose energy, strength, or relevance.
The conversation trailed off as they realized they had nothing more to say to each other.
Often appears as...
- conversation trailed off
- debate trailed off
verb
To slowly come to an end.
The meeting trailed off without a conclusion.
Often appears as...
- discussion trailed off
- argument trailed off
Usage tips
Business
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Fading
Often signals a decrease in emotions or interest during speaking.
I thought she was excited about the plan, but her voice trailed off at the end.
Pro Tip 2/3Uncertain Ending
Indicates the speaker may be unsure or hesitant to keep talking.
He mentioned the holiday plans and then trailed off, looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 3/3Attention Shift
Used when the speaker's or listener's attention moves elsewhere.
As the kitten entered the room, her explanation about the project trailed off.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Fading
Often signals a decrease in emotions or interest during speaking.
I thought she was excited about the plan, but her voice trailed off at the end.
Pro Tip 2/3Uncertain Ending
Indicates the speaker may be unsure or hesitant to keep talking.
He mentioned the holiday plans and then trailed off, looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 3/3Attention Shift
Used when the speaker's or listener's attention moves elsewhere.
As the kitten entered the room, her explanation about the project trailed off.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Fading
Often signals a decrease in emotions or interest during speaking.
I thought she was excited about the plan, but her voice trailed off at the end.
Pro Tip 2/3Uncertain Ending
Indicates the speaker may be unsure or hesitant to keep talking.
He mentioned the holiday plans and then trailed off, looking uncertain.
Pro Tip 3/3Attention Shift
Used when the speaker's or listener's attention moves elsewhere.
As the kitten entered the room, her explanation about the project trailed off.
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